This is a special time in a country with the noticeable change of seasons which Russia is a good example of. The last month of summer is beautiful and a perfect time for travelling. One part of Son Trava duo – Anastasia – shares with you her favourite August moments: books, travels and movies:

“This August I went to see Boldino – a place where famous Russian poet, novelist and playwright, Alexander Pushkin spent a lot of time and where he wrote many of his masterpieces. Walking the birch and linden trees alleys, musing at the ponds with beautiful weeping willows you can easily imagine a poet himself there and understand, at least to some degree, why he created his best novels and poems here.

No surprise that after this trip I reached for my favourite “Tales of Belkin” (a cycle of short stories) and some Pushkin’s personal letters to read.

This weeping willow is one of a few trees that remember Pushkin himself. It is enormously big; sadly the photograph can’t fully convey the feeling.

The birch trees alley is an example of the way many Russian noble manor houses and parks were built according to the principles of English garden. It was meant to look like it was all nature’s work, but in fact was planned with great care.

Inspired by the delicate tranquility of Boldino I have bought a number of paintings made by a local artist. Here you see my first attempt to arrange them on the sofa and see how they’d look on the wall.

Next stop was a spiritual one. Not far from Boldino is the village of Diveyevo famous for the Saint Seraphim of Sarov. And from there I went to an old Russian city of Murom. It had something magical about it. Visiting all those places full of history: orthodox churches, convents, Russian nobility manors had a profound impact on me. It made me feel deeper connection with my Russian roots and I have found a place within myself which I thought was long lost.

Resurrection Monastery in Murom

Speaking of the movies, I can highly recommend the new one from the genius Russian film director Andrey Zvyagintsev. It is called Loveless, a compelling story that impressed me beyond words. It is mysterious and terrifying drama set in modern Russia. After watching it I had a strong desire to always seek ways to be a better person and make the world a better place.”